Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses

.... For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26). Three times in this passage Paul has referres to groanings. In 22 he tells us “For we know that the whole creation groans and labours with birth pangs together until now.”  It groans  because (verse 20) it was subject to futility (perverseness, depravation,  want of vigour – Thayer).  There's something wrong with creation,  something not in keeping with its original purpose. We see it in nature,  red in tooth and claw, we see it in earthquakes etc. In verse 20 we see that it was God who did this, He did it at the fall, cursing the earth “for our sakes” (Genesis 3:17 NKJV). Part of what this means is that though He subjected it to futility, He  also subjected it in hope (all in verse 20).  This duality is likened to childbirth,  where there is struggle and torment and groaning, but there is also the hope in the birth, the birth of the new creation.

This same duality is in those of us who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we too groan, but not without hope, for we “eagerly wait .... for the redemption of our body” (verse 23).  Paul wants to give us a different perspective on our sufferings, and a different way to handle them.  For example, he considers “that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (verse 18). He tells us we know that God “works all things work together for good for those who love God, and are the called according to His purpose” (verse 28). But do we really know this? I mean if we truly knew that no matter what happened the good, the bad and the ugly, if we knew that it all worked for our ultimate good, if we truly knew this, then we could relax and enjoy the journey. We could count it all joy when we fell into diverse trials (James 1:2)!

So perhaps the real task is to grow in this knowledge. Not just in head knowledge, but rather in a settled heart knowledge. It's clearly a process, and it starts by choosing to trust Him,  and keeping our minds stayed on Him. In this way we receive His perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).  Again,  it is not without struggle, for we certainly groan (verse 23). Creation groans, we groan and  “likewise” the Spirit groans. The Holy Spirit, the helper, the comforter, the One called along side of us, the One who helps us in our weakness, He is the One who groans in intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words (verse 26). In other words the God who suffered for us,  is the God who also suffers with us in our groanings as He shows us the way forward.  

Father, if You be for us who can be against us? You who did not spare Your  Son will You not also with Him give us all things? Surely! There is now no condemnation, we are more than conquers through Him who gave Himself for us. And there is absolutely nothing Lord,  that is able to separate us from Your love. For this, and for may other things Father,  we give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name Amen